Ain't That Tuff Enuff?

Ray opened the door to a large room. There were lots of flashing lights as several areas were set up for picture taking. Ray moved Gerard through the room to the back. There was a guy in a very slim fitting bathing suit. Ray moved up to the man behind the camera who was yelling at the guy.

"Come on Frankie, thrust those hips out, give me more, show me how you fuck the camera."

The guy smirked. He gave a sultry look to the camera and thrusted his crotch out at an unnatural position. Gerard's eyes widened, it was the boy who he'd seen getting the hand job before...he was gorgeous, and Gerard was glad for what Gabe did to him now, cause he would've had a hard on looking at the boy otherwise.

"We're ready Bri."

Brian looked over and smiled. Gerard smiled nervously, he was so confused right now. Brian walked over.

"Hi, you're new! I like your look..."

He reached out and pulled Gerard's silk robe open. Gerard squeaked.

"Aww, you're just adorable, ain't you. The white works well too. Let's get you in front of the camera..."

He grabbed Gerard's hand and pulled him across the room.

"Go stand on the X so I can see what lighting works..."

Gerard nodded and walked over to a small chalk X on the floor, he chewed his lip awkwardly. Brian grinned.

"Beautiful. Hey, Ray?"

"Yes Brian?"

"Softer lighting I think...he's too sweet and innocent looking for the brights. Maybe try the pale pink tint?...what do you think?"

"I think that would work perfectly."

Ray walked off yelling to someone. He passed Frank who had slipped his own robe on. He walked over to the other side and found Brendon in a chair watching the new guy. He leaned over his shoulder and kissed his cheek.

"Fresh meat huh?"

Brendon smirked.

"Yeah, he's cute...innocent looking. I kinda want to ruin him."

"Nope, this one’s mine. You can find another one, I saw him first...or rather he saw me."

Frank smirked as he watched the lighting adjusted to a pale pink to compliment the young man. Brendon stuck his tongue out at Frank.

"Spoilsport."

"Yup and to the victor goes the spoils."

Frank chuckled as he watched how awkward the new model was.

"Oh that's good Brian, you should have him keep up the innocent stuff...maybe a few props to enhance it?"

Brian chuckled.

"Yeah, you're right...Ray, can you get a couple of stuffies from the toy box...nothing too bright." Ray walked over and found a stuffed rabbit that was a soft pink color.

"What about something for him to sit on?"

"Oh yeah...that white fluffy rug we did that fireplace shoot with last week, that'll work."

Ray found the rug and brought it over.

"Here you are sweetheart. Lay on this and hold this."

Gerard nodded and did as he was told. Brian looked through his camera and frowned.

"No no, that doesn't work...too much white, he's disappearing..."

He thought for a second then clicked his fingers loudly.

"I got it. Ray, take Frank and grab that blue couch thing from the dressing room."

"Are you sure Bri? You said nothing bright; wouldn't the soft green or pink one be better? Maybe even oh, what about the deep purple one?"

"Hmmm, maybe..."

Brian looked at Gerard critically...Gerard squirmed slightly.

"Yeah, get the purple one, we'll try that."

"Hey Frankie, come help me."

Frank looked a Ray and patted Brendon on the shoulder as he walked over.

"What's up Frau Raymond?"

Ray rolled his eyes at the old joke.

"Help me pull the purple chaise over to this set."

"I got this."

Frank walked over to the prop and without Ray's help brought it over to the slim boy.

"Here you are honey, take a seat."

Gerard's cheeks pinked.

"Oh, err thank you."

He said softly, lowering his head to hide in his hair a little as he sat down carefully on the soft chaise.

"No problem. You're new here huh? Name's Frank."

"Yeah I'm new, and hi, I'm Gerard...but my friends call me Gee."

"Well then you can call me Frankie...since we are being friendly and all."

Gerard giggled softly.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Frankie."

"Alright Frankie, reign it in. Go get changed."

Ray shooed Frank away, but not before he caressed the young man's cheek.

"See you later Gee."

Gerard's cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink as he blinked at the boy's retreating figure.

"Yeah, see ya."

He murmured, so only he heard. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and bring himself back to the task at hand. He turned to look at the camera, his knees pressed together and his feet awkwardly wide apart. He held the stuffed rabbit lightly in his lap. Brian smiled at him and started clicking away.

"Perfect, so pretty. Tilt your head down a little...yeah that's right...beautiful."

*

*

*

"Well thank you Michael, we look forward to working with you."

"Thank you Nate...um, I still haven't been able to locate my brother though."

"I am sure he is around. Feel free to search for him."

"Thanks."

Mikey shook the man's hand. He had gotten the job with no problems. He stated that he would rather do swim suits and underwear and they agreed and put it in his contract. He saw Ryan and waved.

"Have you seen Gee?"

"No man, not since that guy dragged him away."

"Should I be worried you think?"

"Nah, Gee can handle himself."

"Well I still want to look for him."

They walked down a few hallways and looked in a few rooms. They ran into a tall brunette.

"Oh, pale guy, black hair right?"

"Uh...yeah."

"Ray brought him onset."

"Uh...what?"

"Can you tell us which way?"

Lindsey pointed the way and Mikey pulled Ryan with him.

"How did he get on set so soon after his interview?"

"I don’t know Mikes. Hey have you seen Pete?"

Pete came bouncing around the corner right then.

"Hey guys this place is so cool, did you get in? I did, easy. Have you seen Gee? He looks so fucking good, I didn't think he had it in him but man does he make that shit work..."

He babbled, barely taking a breath between thoughts.

"I hope they find something like that for me but in like red or black or something cause I don't think the white would suit my tone...do you?"

"Wait wait...slow down Pete, what are you talking about? You saw Gerard's interview?"

"No dummy, his photo shoot!...come on, he's still in there."

Pete grabbed Mikey's hand and started dragging him around the corner.

"His..."

Mikey looked at Ryan and grabbed him. He was so confused right now.

Pete pulled Mikey and Ryan through a door, hushing them with a finger to his lips.

"Ok, so why don't you hug the bunny to your chest now...yeah, just like that...perfect."

Brian continued to snap away as Gerard sat awkwardly on the purple chaise, the side of his lower lip trapped between his teeth as he looked innocently into the camera. Ryan looked at Mikey.

"Was this part of your interview?"

"Uh...no. Pete?"

"Nope, I just presumed they thought Gee would be perfect for this or something. Mine was just a chat."

"There's another guy over there, I'll go ask him."

Mikey walked away from Pete and Ryan to a guy that was sitting in a chair watching his brother's shoot.

"Hey, uh excuse me, can you tell me what's going on?"

Brendon looked up and grinned.

"Well hi there cutie, I've not seen you here before, you new?"

"Uh...yeah, just hired. Um...so when you get newly hired you go right into photo shoots?"

Brendon laughed.

"Nah, you get headshots done and stuff, then when something suitable comes up, you get a call...you're cute though, so I don't think you'll have to wait that long."

"So if that's true, why is my brother already getting one?"

"Your brother?..."

Brendon looked over to where Gerard was coyly playing with his hair as Brian took more shots.

"I thought he was one of the models Brian called in from the bank."

"No, he and our co workers came to interview cause my friend Ryan met this model at a club."

Brendon lit up.

"You're Ryan's friend?...is he here?"

"Yeah, he's over there...wait are you the friend?"

"Yep, that's me. I'm Brendon, but I didn't catch your name...cutie."

"Uh...Michael."

"Wait, Michael or Mike...or should I just carry on calling you cutie, cause it suits you, you know."

"Well my friends call me..."

"Mikey!"

Ryan ran over to him.

"Did you find out...hey Brendon!"

"Hi Ry..."

Brendon grinned, standing to give the other boy a quick hug.

"I was just getting to know cutie here."

He winked at Mikey.

"Mikey...cutie?"

Ryan busted out laughing.

"I wonder if he would say that if he saw you using the jack hammer last week."

Brendon raised an eyebrow.

"Jack hammer?...sounds kinky."

Mikey looked at the model with disgust. He turned to Ryan.

"Come on, this airhead doesn't know shit."

Brendon pouted.

"Aww, don't be like that, I'm just playing. What do you need to know?"

Ryan looked over at Gerard.

"Wow...he really does look amazing."

Brendon nodded.

"Yeah, he's beautiful...really suits that innocent angel look."

"Still doesn't explain anything."

"I think I can answer that."

A guy with a full head of frizzy hair and a much shorter redhead walked in.

"Sorry, I had mistaken your brother for one of the bank models that Brian had called when our regular model hadn't shown up. I didn't even listen to him cause I thought he was just nervous...oh God and I gave him to Gabe!"

"Wait...who's Gabe?"

Brendon winced slightly.

"Gabe is our fluffer and waxer...no wonder your brother looks like a nervous kid."

"Wait...you guys need fluffers and...did you say wax?"

"Yeah, no one wants a hairy lingerie model."

"Gee hates pain though!"

Mikey watched his brother taking all the direction from the photographer.

Brendon laughed.

"Yeah, well Gabe has his ways to distract you...your brother probably even enjoyed it."

"Dis...tract?"

Mikey shook his head.

"This is too much for me. Can I talk to my brother?"

Brendon laughed again.

"Calm down cutie, I think your brother's just fine."

He nodded over toward where Gerard was licking a large rainbow colored lollipop. Mikey was memorized. He never saw his brother like that. He wondered what Bob would think.

"Actually he is just about done. Brian has another photo shoot in a few.

Brendon grinned.

"Yep, mine!..."

He looked at Mikey.

"You wanna stick around and watch, cutie?"

"Look...you call me cutie one more time and I'm going rearrange your face with a two by four. Let’s see how kinky you think it is to pick splinters the size of your fingers out of that pretty boy face of yours."

"Ok ok, I'm sorry..."

Brendon said with a sincere look.

"I'm not used to talking to cute guys who aren't already in the biz...I forget that not everyone likes pet names...forgive me?...Mikey?"

Mikey made an irritated noise, but nodded.

"Hey Mikey, it looks like Gerard is done."

Gerard slipped his arms back into the silk robe that someone was holding open for him, then headed over to where he could see his brother.

"Hey Mikey, did you see?"

"Did I see? Gerard that was... I mean that was you?"

"Course it was me doofus, it was fun too...when I got over the nerves a bit. Funnest interview I ever had, I can tell you."

"Uh.. Gee, that wasn't an interview."

Gerard's eyes went wide and the colour left his face.

"W-what?...it, it wasn't?!"

He wobbled slightly.

"No Gee, this guy thought you were a replacement model."

Ray walked up and smiled.

"For what it's worth you did fantastic and I would say you don’t need an interview now, what do you think Brian?"

Brian nodded enthusiastically, he had his camera in his hands.

"Oh definitely, you're a natural kid. You got that innocent sweetheart vibe...people are always looking for that. Look..."

He turned the camera so they could all see the viewer screen, that was currently showing one of the first pictures that he'd taken of Gerard.

"See?...beautiful."

"Wow."

Mikey and Ryan looked at each other and then back at the screen. It didn't look like him at all. Gerard looked at the picture.

"Th-that's not me."

"Oh but it is, and I think it is the best Brian has ever taken."

Ray smiled. Gerard blushed, looking down.

"Well if you guys are anything like he is this catalog is going to be amazing!"

"We're gonna be in a catalog?!..."

"Yup and according to this Michael is going to do swim and underwear so you work with Frankie and Brendon."

Mikey rolled his eyes.

"Great."

"And Gerard and Ryan wanted to do lingerie and I guess and Pete...who's Pete?"

"That's me..."

Pete said, shoving his hand up in the air.

"I'm Pete."

"Says you're up for anything."

"Yep, absolutely anything."

Pete said with a big grin on his face.

"So you should meet every one. Brendon, go get Frankie."

"Yes boss."

Brendon said with a cheeky wink as he turned and walked off to find the other model. Mikey looked at Gerard still holding the giant lollipop.

"Does it taste good?"

Gerard took a lick and smiled.

"It's cherry flavor."

"Do I get a taste?"

Frank walked to the group. He was out of the swim suit, but in a tight pair of jeans and T-shirt. Gerard felt his cheeks heat up again, he dropped his eyes to the floor, unsure what to say.

"Excuse me, who the fuck are you to talk to my brother like that?"

"Chill man, just messing with the new guy...besides we already met earlier...when I was with Gabe. "

Frank winked at Gerard. Gerard turned the colour of a ripe strawberry and tried to hide behind his lollipop.

"So great, well we will set up head shots for you all and see you back on Friday."

Ray turned to Gerard.

"You can go change honey and you get to keep that."

Gerard looked at Ray with wide eyes.

"The lollipop?"

His fingers tightened slightly on the stick.

Ray chuckled.

"No sweetie, the outfit."

"If you don't want the lollipop, I'l take it."

Frank licked his lips.

"Cherry is my favorite after all."

Gerard pouted.

"You can't have my cherry…”

Gerard smirked.

"...Bobby already took that."

Frank was taken back by the boy's sass. He no longer matched the innocence of the outfit he wore.

"Who's Bobby?"

"His boyfriend."

"Practically his fiancé."

Frank took a step back and looked at Brendon. Brendon shrugged. Ray looked back and forth at the veteran models and the new ones.

"Sooo Wednesday is good then?"

Gerard frowned slightly.

"Well it's going to depend on if Bob has work for us, we'll know in a couple hours and I can give you a call...if that's ok?"

"Wait...I thought Bob was your boyfriend?"

Frank was really confused now.

"Oh he is Gee's boyfriend..."

Pete piped up as Gerard tried to pull the robe tighter around himself, while holding the lollipop between his teeth.

"...but he's our boss on the site too."

"Here Gee, let me."

Mikey took the lollipop and handed it to Ryan. He then helped Gerard with the slippery material.

"Actually I think we have a job tomorrow that will take us through the week, but we might finish it before Wednesday if the weather is with us."

Ryan was trying to hold Pete off from taking the confection.

"Pete, you do not need more sugar."

"But Ryyyan..."

Pete whined, reaching for the lollipop again.

"Sugar's life."

"It's also mine..."

Gerard took it back from Ryan with a smile and licking a long stripe up the flat face of it.

"So hands off."

'Fuck' Frank wondered if this guy new how much sex he exuded even without trying.

"So what do you guys do?"

Ray has to know now. They were so different than any other models he knew.

"Oh, we're in construction..."

Gerard said between licks.

"I weld."

"You...weld?"

Frank looked at the others to see if it was a joke.

"I'm a brick layer."

"Yup and Pete and I do general work cause we don't have a license to specialise...although Pete is not allowed near the jack hammer anymore."

"Hey!...that was just one time..."

Pete huffed.

"And I apologized...twice."

"Hey guys, we should get going. Gee you want to go change?"

"Oh, err yeah..."

Gerard looked around uncertainly.

"Where are my clothes?"

Patrick looked up from the pictures that Brian was showing him on the camera.

"They're in dressing room B...Frank, could you show Gerard the way please?"

"I would be happy to."

Gerard smiled slightly at the boy, trying not to think about how much of him he'd seen before.

"Ok, lead the way."

"Catch you cats later."

Frank grabbed for Gerard's hand and pulled him to the door.

"Hey!"

Mikey went to go after him, but found he was stopped.

"Pete? What the fuck?"

Pete grinned.

"Gee can take care of himself, you know he's no delicate flower...despite outward appearances."

Mikey pouted, but nodded. He knew he would put Frank in his place. He just hoped that moment wouldn't be too bad.

Gerard saw his clothes folded neatly on a chair in the corner of the dressing room that he'd been waxed in. He turned to thank the model for showing him the way and gasped, falling back a step when he found the boy standing way too close.

"Whoa..."

He giggled awkwardly.

"...personal space dude."

"So what's a construction worker doing moonlighting as a model?"

Gerard took off the silk robe and lay it on the waxing table.

"Just making some extra money."

He pushed the thin white straps of the outfit off of his shoulders and down his arms, letting the top half of the piece collect around his waist before grabbing his shirt and pulling it on. Frank watched the young man get dressed. He wondered how old he was. He looked like a boy before, but now as he got dressed is started to age just a bit...but not by much.

"Interesting choice to make money don't you think? Do you have any prior experience?"

"No..."

Gerard hesitated for a second before slipping the delicate white outfit down his legs and stepping out of it. He quickly grabbed his boxer briefs and pulled them on to cover his dignity.

"This was all Ryan's idea actually, he met this guy in a club or something who said he could put in a good word for us..."

He grabbed his black jeans, the smartest pair he owned, and pulled them on...hopping a little to get them up.

"We all figured the money was good, so why the fuck not."

"Mmmm."

Frank enjoying the reverse peep show and missed everything being said. Gerard turned his head to look at the boy and rolled his eyes as he did up his fly.

"Enjoy the show?"

"Oh yes, but it was over too soon. How about a repeat after dinner?"

Gerard shot him a look.

"You did hear that I've got a boyfriend...right?"

"Sure. What can I say...I like a challenge. "

"A challenge?...how would you like my foot up your ass, hmm?...how's that for challenging."

"Sounds kinky actually."

"Well what about my fist in your face..."

Gerard growled slightly.

"How kinky would you find that?"

"Oh man, not the face that's my money maker."

Gerard rolled his eyes.

"Well then, don't try your sad, tired old pick up lines on me, and I'll leave your...money maker intact...deal?"

"Whatever you say sweet cheeks."

Gerard pushed his feet into his sneakers then smiled sweetly as he stepped toward the younger man.

"Not the face eh?..."

He clenched his hand into a fist and punched it straight into the boy's stomach. Frank doubled over as the wind was knocked out of him.

"Money maker intact..."

He said before turning and stalking out the door, passing Brendon on the way.

"Your friend has a big mouth, and now a sore gut...see ya."

Brendon watched him go with wide eyes for a moment, then turned and hurried to Frank's side.

"Man Frankie, you sure know how to pick 'em."

"Fuck, how does a thing like that pack such a punch."

Frank coughed and sputtered.

"I'm off on Tuesday and I am going to find out where he works and see how much of his story is bullshit."

Notes

Hi there chipmunks, how's you?

So interviews are a bit different in this business than in others, huh?

Until next time...PLEASE COMMENT, and peace out babies!
<3